11/12/2022
Well after 17 wonderful years and a 3 month "FAREWELL TOUR" that was filled with laughter, amazing moments and even some tears....I'm finally finished!
I still have a few orders to work on and one sneaky last minute newborn on NYE but tonight I feel like I'm 95% done so it seemed like a good time to say:-
Thank you to all of the families who let me be a part of the most wonderful moments of your parenting journey. From pregnancy to newborns to toddlers, tweens and those "fun" teenage years - I have loved every minute of it. I hope the images I captured for you will always make you smile. Trusting me with the special moments along the way was such a gift.
Running the studio from home allowed me to be home for my children so much more than I could've been working for someone else. When they were sick I could be with them, taking them to and from school everyday, I didn't miss a game, a presentation, a play, a morning tea, a dress up, a concert. I thank you my fantastic clients for making this possible for me as a mother. I'm sure one day my kids, who are young adults now, will look back and realise how lucky they were. I already know how lucky I was.
Shout out most especially to those early clients who I photographed in my loungeroom and in my grungy garage before the studio came to life. Thank goodness you had faith in the end product and continued to support me. I have had so many repeat clients who just continued to believe in me. Honestly it is the most incredible compliment when clients return to me over and over and over. The record is 9 sessions with one family but there are quite a few that have been here for 6,7 and 8 sessions. Some families recommended me to their siblings so I've captured whole generations. I've made friends along the way that I hope to continue to enjoy and most of my clients came from word of mouth which is the greatest gift.
Working with children sounds like a nightmare to some people but for me it was a dream come true. I only let parents come along because they hold the purse strings haha. From the tiniest to the biggest, all the kids are so great. They make you laugh, they can be cheeky, they can even be a little naughty but they are always fun. Since I am basically a kid myself I think it was a fabulous fit and I always seemed to be able to find a way to connect with each and every one of my kid clients. There have been stressful moments but mostly those were how the parents were feeling wanting their little ones to be perfect but for me I knew we would get those amazing images in the end so I never got worried.
I hope my LKP families will continue to send me updates over the years. I promise I will never get sick of hearing about how the kids are and how much they've grown. Not gonna lie, I had a few moments during the Farewell Tour where I thought "hey have I pulled the pin too soon, this is still so fun, maybe I could do a John Farnham" hahaha, but I know it's the right time. Always end on a high note they say and I have ended on a Mariah Carey high note!!!
I'll touch base with past clients in the new year with a final goodbye and with some lovely final special offers and goodies but otherwise that's it from me. I won't miss trying to keep up with social media which I suck at, all of the boring business stuff, I always hated the sales part too hahaha. I just wanted to take pretty pictures of kids so that will leave a huge hole in my heart now I'm finished.
Lisa Kelly Photography has been the 3rd most amazing thing I've created in my life (after my two wonderful yet slightly annoying adult children of course) and I couldn't be more proud of the journey. I hope I made you and your family feel special, if only for a moment. Love to you all xx
THAT'S A WRAP everyone......I'll see myself out!!!
(Champagne in hand obviously - CHEERS!!!)
